Posted on 03/22/2005 7:01:40 AM PST by nypokerface
Religion should not play the same role in British politics that it does in America, Tony Blair has said. Mr Blair said he did not want a system where politicians went out "beating their chests about our faith".
The prime minister was speaking to a Christian group already addressed by the Tory and Lib Dem leaders.
He said he wanted churches and faith groups to play a bigger role in national life and paid tribute to their work in social action.
'Don't do God'
Mr Blair was speaking to church leaders, other faith representatives and community activists in London about his vision for the role of faith in the UK.
The lecture was organised by the Faithworks Movement, which hopes faith will be a hotly contested election issue.
In the questions session after his speech, Mr Blair was asked about reports that Alastair Campbell had once told an interviewer who asked about Mr Blair's faith: "I'm sorry, we don't do God."
Mr Blair said faith was very important on a personal level but could quickly become misinterpreted.
"I don't want to end up with an American-style type of politics with us all going out there and beating our chests about our faith," he said.
People were defined by their faith but it was "a bit unhealthy" if it became used in the political process.
Abortion debate
Tuesday's lecture comes two days after the Archbishop of Canterbury said he hoped parliamentary candidates would be questioned about their views on abortion.
The Roman Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor, has also called for abortion to become an election issue.
The issue did not arise directly at Tuesday's event.
Mr Blair used his speech to say that a vision of community, with people helping each other, was central to his political beliefs.
He said churches made a "visible, tangible difference" for the better in society.
"I would like to see you play a bigger, not a lesser, role in the future," he said.
"So many of your organisations have the capacity not only to help, but to inspire and to enthuse, by being unashamed about your beliefs, your commitment and your example."
Poverty work
Mr Blair said he wanted to "recast" the 1945 welfare state for the modern age, where services had to be tailored to individuals' needs.
But governments could only do things in partnership with others, including faith groups who were helping the "millions" of young people who failed to fulfil their potential.
He also praised churches for being at the forefront of attempts to fight world poverty and injustice.
In his speech to Faithworks, Mr Howard said faith groups were part of a "forgotten majority" and needed a fairer deal for their social work.
Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy told the group that fears of fundamentalism should not prevent local councils from trusting churches.
In its drive to power the state crushed the church in Europe. They need more diverse voices there. With the state controlling the TV and the universities and churches owned by governments (clerics are government employees) Europe has become a dangerous example of groupthink, especially with the PC multiculturalsim that is part of the push for the EU. Arguing about abortion is healthy.
Er...WHAT!! In the UK?? Evidence, please!
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